Summary

In week 44 (October 26–November 1, 2020), total activity at SOS Médecins clinics declined among children (-10%, or 1,438 fewer visits) and adults aged 15–74 (-6%, or 2,432 fewer visits) and remained stable among those aged 75 and older.

In week 44, among adults over 45, for the fourth consecutive week, the increase in medical procedures for suspected COVID-19 continued: 1,335 procedures in week 41, 1,783 in week 42 (a 34% increase), 2,608 in W43 (a 46% increase), and 2,836 in W44 (a 9% increase). This increase is more pronounced among those aged 75 and older (+21%, or 98 cases) compared to those aged 45–74 (+6%, or 122 cases). Suspected COVID-19 is the most common diagnosis among adults. Among children and those aged 15–44, medical procedures for suspected COVID-19 remain stable. In total, 7,662 procedures were recorded in week 44 (vs. 7,417 procedures in week 43, representing a 3% increase and 245 more procedures). The share of total activity across all age groups is up again to 12.9% (vs. 11.7% in week 43). This increase is spread across five regions: Bourgogne-Franche-Comté (+68%, or +136 procedures), Grand-Est (+26%, or +114 procedures), Hauts-de-France (+20%, or 129 procedures), PACA (+11%, or +66 procedures), and Brittany (+9%, or +19 procedures).

Since the start of surveillance, 135,223 procedures for suspected COVID-19 have been performed. Among other conditions, notable increases were observed in procedures for chickenpox and gastrointestinal symptoms among 2- to 14-year-olds, and in deaths among those aged 75 and older (+14%), which has become the second most common procedure after suspected COVID-19, upper respiratory tract conditions, and urinary tract infections.